Economist says Canada is doing well, but shouldn't relax

Panellists debate a new report that suggests Canada is leading the world when it comes to the middle class getting ahead 8:08

The New York Times made headlines across Canada, as well as the U.S., when it produced a study Tuesday showing the Canadian middle class had surpassed America’s.

The newspaper's economic analysis was based on data compiled by LIS, which maintains the Luxembourg Income Study Database, and studies the growth of median per capita income after taxes are accounted for.

The Times found Canada, which lagged behind the U.S. in 2000, now has a narrow lead.

Why?

“They went through the mother of all recessions,” CIBC economist Benjamin Tal told As It Happens, referring to the devastating economic collapse in the late 2000s.

“We’re doing OK, but we should not relax about it,” he said, adding Canada still struggles to consistently produce high-quality jobs.

On CBC News Network's Power & Politics, the story started a fiery debate.